Clinical Impact of Rapid Prototyping 3D Models for Surgical Management

Patient-specific, 3D printed models have been utilized in preoperative planning for many years. Among researchers and clinicians, there is a perception that preoperative exposure to 3D printed models, derived from patient images (CT or MRI), aid in procedural planning. 3D printed models for heart surgery have the potential to improve a clinician's preparedness and therefore may reduce surgically-related morbidity and mortality. This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate whether pre-procedural planning of surgeons exposed to a patient-specific 3D printed heart model will decrease cardiopulmonary bypass time, morbidity, and mortality.